The Reunion, Genesis 33:1-17; Jacob & Esau

 

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Have you ever had a falling out with a friend, family or loved one?

Ever been estranged?

How do you rebuild that bridge that’s been burnt to a crisp?

Jacob burned the bridge and had to flee for his life because his twin brother Esau wanted him dead.

For the most part, Jacob was to blame.

Now, they’re about to see each other again, for the first time in 20 years.

In the last chapter we sat ringside as Jacob engaged in an epic all night struggle, until finally, the Lord said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob but Israel, for as a prince you have struggled with God and man and have prevailed.”

Then, on the other side of the brook, as the darkness was fleeing, only one man remained.

Unsteady on his feet, but determined, he leaned heavy on his staff, and limped, and splashed and stumbled, his way across the brook, just as the sun rose upon him.

Then, in that early morning light, his dirty and tattered clothes, and the weary lines on the old man’s face, could be seen; and something else that seemed a bit out of place… his smile.

Genesis 33:1
Now Jacob lifted his eyes and looked…

Some say, that lifting up his eyes denotes a change in his countenance, his attitude. Like in Genesis 29:1, “Went on his journey,” literally means he, lifted up his feet. Jacob picked up his pace, had a smile on his face, a spring in his step.

In both places, Jacob had just committed his case to the Lord. Both times, the outward circumstance didn’t change one iota, but the inward circumstance sure did.

Having cast his cares on the Lord, he went his way, come what may, good or bad, he will stay, in the joy of the Lord.

For in His presence is fullness of joy. Psalm 16:11.

Jacob lifts his eyes and looks…

 and there, Esau was coming, and with him were four hundred men…

Esau the mighty hunter, fiery red hair blazing in the morning sun, looking large and powerful leading an army of 400 men who live by the sword.

Jacob limps toward him, looking anything by large and powerful. But his trust doesn’t come from the strength of men.

Psalm 20:7; Some trust in chariots and some trust in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. 

Esau trusts in chariots and horses and the strength of the sword.

This time Esau is ready.

This time he will not be caught off guard like when he sold his birthright, or, like when Jacob stole his blessing.

This time Esau is prepared to exact his vengeance, to take Jacob’s life.

So he (Jacob) divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants.

Jacob sets his family in order to receive Esau; whether he comes as friend or foe.

2 And he put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children behind, and Rachel and Joseph last.

Okay, maidservants, Bilhah and Zilpah, you stay right behind me, with your kids.

Leah and yours, follow them.

Rachel and little Joe, you’re at the end.

Okay, let’s roll.

3 Then he crossed over before them and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

Jacob at the head of his family, leads the way, not proudly, but humbly, bowing seven times; seven, the number of completeness, reflecting complete submission and surrender.

Because…

The best way to say I’m sorry is with humility, and honor.

And because…

James 4:6; God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

Jacob shuffles forward, leading women and kids.

If Romans 8:31 would’ve been written, they’d have been saying it over and over…

If God be for us, who can be against us? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Completely defenseless, against Esau and his mighty men, closing in fast.

If God be for us, who can be against us?

Esau quickens his pace, until he breaks into a run.

If God be for us, who can be against us?

Did Jacob freeze; did he wonder if this was the end?

If God be for us, who can be against us?

Instead of Esau swinging his sword, he swings his arms into a great big hug.

He kisses his cheek.

They are overcome.

Grown men, weep.

4 But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.

Some say, Esau brought the 400 men simply to protect and show respect to Jacob.

But Jacob knew otherwise. His fear was not groundless. The Spirit of God did not prompt him to pray such a powerful prayer for protection, over an imaginary danger. Genesis 32:9-12.

Prayer changes things.

The Lord said Jacob wrestled with God and man, and prevailed.

Jacob prevailed in changing Esau’s heart, even before they met face to face.

Prevailing prayer is winning the battle before it’s ever fought.

Proverbs 16:7; When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

5 And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, “Who are these with you?”

Legitimate question since Jacob had not told Esau about his family, only about the abundance of his possessions.

Perhaps to protect them, if Esau came in rage.

Perhaps to please him, an unexpected bonus, if Esau came in peace.

So he said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”

He could’ve just said, “These are my kids.” Jacob’s dozen (11 boys and 1 girl), were young. Reuben, the oldest, was only around 12.

Jacob’s answer reveals integrity and character.

Jacob as a man of God, gives glory to God; and speaks of his children as gifts from God.  Psalm 127:3.

Jacob as a child of God, confidently, humbly, considers himself a servant.

Because…

A child of God, secure in his position with God, considers serving another, not as a menial task, but as a great honor to God.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:40, in as much as you’ve done it unto the least of My brethren, you’ve done it unto Me.  

6 Then the maidservants came near, they and their children, and bowed down.

Jacob’s family, followed Jacob’s lead.

7 And Leah also came near with her children, and they bowed down. Afterward Joseph and Rachel came near, and they bowed down.

And they too, showed respect and humility as Jacob had done.

8 Then Esau said, “What do you mean by all this company which I met?”

And he said, “These are to find favor in the sight of my lord.”

After introductions are done, Esau asks about the gifts of livestock that Jacob had sent.

“To find favor in the sight of my lord” is Jacob’s way of saying: I’m sorry. I was wrong. Please forgive me.

Notice, there’s no mention of the past, no reopening 20 year old wounds.

There was a breach. Now it’s fixed. Simple as that.

Perhaps, as the relationship solidifies, we’ll iron out remaining rough spots.

Now, is the time to live in the present, and look toward the future.

9 But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.”

Esau calls him, my brother. How sweet those words must’ve been to speak and to hear.

I have enough, the word is, “rab” meaning, abundance.

People of the world, may have an abundance of wealth, but would still have more.

It is kind for Esau to say, keep what you have, for yourself,  I have an abundance. 

It meant, they were reconciled; no need for Jacob to pay restitution.

10 And Jacob said, “No, please, if I have now found favor in your sight, then receive my present from my hand, inasmuch as I have seen your face as though I had seen the face of God, and you were pleased with me.

However, Jacob humbly, urges him to accept it.

At first, perhaps it was sent in fear, but now, the fear is gone, and he longs for him to keep it for love. Desiring friendship with his brother more than dreading his wrath.

It would be a great gift to me, for you to accept my gift to you.

If I’ve found favor, if you’re pleased with me, if we are indeed reconciled, please accept my gift as a token of our restoration.

This will grant me peace and confirmation that God has answered my prayers.

11 Please, take my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” So he urged him, and he took it.

I have enough in the original text is the word, kol, meaning, the whole, all.

However, as already mentioned, in Verse 9, when Esau said, I have enough, the word is, “rab” meaning, abundance.

People of the world, may have an abundance of wealth, but still have appetite for more.

One who is in Christ, has all, full, satisfied, in want of nothing.

And Esau, with an appetite for more, took it.

Jacob prevailed with man. Not in the sense of defeating him, but in winning him

As Abraham Lincoln said…
Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?

12 Then Esau said, “Let us take our journey; let us go, and I will go before you.”

What a wonderful reunion.

Once enemies, now friends.

Esau suggests they travel together, as one big, noisy, happy family.

13 But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are weak, and the flocks and herds which are nursing are with me. And if the men should drive them hard one day, all the flock will die.

Jacob, modestly declines.

Jacob as a good husband, father and shepherd, is mindful of his family, no matter how generous Esau’s offer.

14 Please let my lord go on ahead before his servant. I will lead on slowly at a pace which the livestock that go before me, and the children, are able to endure, until I come to my lord in Seir.”

Please let my lord go on ahead… Jacob treads softly in his response.

Proverbs 15:1; A soft answer turns away wrath.

I will lead on slowly; at a pace my children and flocks can endure.

This wisdom ought to be imitated when shepherding young or discipling the old. We must not push them beyond what they can bear.

Jesus said, John 16:12, I have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.

Our friend Captain Rich says: The head can only absorb what the butt can endure. 😊

So, Jacob let’s Esau know, after he tends to his family first, then, I’ll come to my lord in Seir.

Even though the visit to Seir is not recorded in the Bible, we have no reason to doubt that Jacob did exactly what he said.

We know they stay in touch because together they bury their father Isaac in Genesis 35:29.

15 And Esau said, “Now let me leave with you some of the people who are with me.”

Okay fine, but at least let me leave you some of my men.

Esau desiring to help in any way he can, and with his 400 warrior entourage, he probably viewed Jacob and vulnerable and weak.

But he said, “What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.”

But Jacob humbly assured him that there was no need for that.

Jacob, was under God’s Divine Protection and had no need for an army of the flesh.

16 So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir.

Once again, Jacob prevailed over man.

Not as a conqueror, but as a reconciler.

2 Corinthians 5:18; Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

Jacob’s slow multiple stop journey takes him west across the Jordan into Canaan, the Promise Land, and then south back home. Probably around another 150 miles.

Esau stays east of the Jordan and also heads south to Seir.

17 And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, built himself a house, and made booths for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.

Succoth means booths.

This place was great for livestock.

So great in fact that (about 400 years later) two of the tribes of Israel, Reuben and Gad, ask for their inheritance of the Promise Land to be here, east of the Jordan. They tell Moses; this land is great for lots of livestock, we have lots of livestock. Do the math. Can we have this land? Numbers 32:1-5.

So, Jacob as a prudent shepherd might’ve seen this is as the perfect spot to stop, set up shop, rest, regroup, and prepare a staging area before the big move across, the Jordan river.

Practical wisdom and patience must be used in the journey to God’s calling.

How do you rebuild that bridge that’s been burnt to a crisp?

TWELVE STEPS TO RECONCILIATION

1.  The best way to say I’m sorry is with humility, and honor.

2.  James 4:6; God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

3.  Prevailing prayer is winning the battle before it’s ever fought.

4.  Proverbs 16:7; When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

5.  Romans 8:31; If God be for us, who can be against us?

6.  A child of God, secure in his position with God, considers serving others, a great honor to God.

7.   One who is in Christ, has all, full, satisfied, in want of nothing.

8.  Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?

9.  Proverbs 15:1; A soft answer turns away wrath.

10.  2 Corinthians 5:18; God, has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation

11.  Practical wisdom and patience must be used in the journey to God’s calling.

12.  The head can only absorb what the but can endure.

Now, let’s go help somebody build a bridge back to Jesus

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, as Jacob sent drove after drove, of gifts to Esau, for the purpose of reconciliation; You’ve sent wave upon wave of blessings our way, and then You Yourself came, as the Greatest Gift ever.

All for the purpose of reuniting us, back to You.

Thank You for putting us in the ministry of reconciliation; so, we too have the great honor of helping another find their way back to You.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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